Spring loaded self locking reversible anchor

Abstract

A spring loaded, self-locking anchoring assembly converts a drive force, administered to an anchor of the anchoring assembly, to one or both of an axial translation force or a compression force. The axial translation force may be used to drive the anchor into tissue, while the compression force may be used to further draw together anchor components and tissue, and/or to lock together anchor components, to improve anchor efficacy in the presence of anatomical variations.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An anchor assembly comprising:
 an anchor comprising an anchor head and an anchor coil; 
 wherein: 
 the anchor coil comprises a proximal portion disposed about the anchor head and a distal portion extending distally from the anchor head; 
 the anchor head comprises a proximal end comprising a drive coupler, a distal tip and an unthreaded shaft disposed between the drive coupler and the distal tip of the anchor head; and 
 the proximal portion of the anchor coil comprises a compressible coil that is slidably coupled to the distal tip of the anchor head to allow compression of the compressible coil. 
 
     
     
       2. The anchor assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the anchor head further includes a flange disposed between the drive coupler and the unthreaded shaft of the anchor head, the flange configured to limit distal translation of the anchor through a bore of an anchor housing with respect to which the anchor head is mountable. 
     
     
       3. The anchor assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the anchor head includes a locking feature configured to be affixed to the anchor housing. 
     
     
       4. The anchor assembly of  claim 3 , wherein the locking feature includes a flange, a tab, a tooth, a ridge, or some combination thereof, and the proximal slot includes a slot, a detent, a hole, a rail, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
       5. The anchor assembly of  claim 4 , wherein the flange comprises the locking feature. 
     
     
       6. The anchor assembly of  claim 3 , comprising:
 an anchor housing having a bore extending therethrough, the bore comprising a threaded portion and an unthreaded portion, the threaded portion of the bore interacting with the anchor coil to provide axial translation of the anchor through the bore and the unthreaded portion of the bore interacting with the anchor coil to provide compression of the compressible coil.